Etc.

ETC.

A PIONEER PASSES

A memorial service was held May 28, 1992, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, for William H. Davidson,

87, former president and chairman of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, who died May 18 from natural causes at his home in Elk Grove, Wisconsin.

Davidson, son of William A. Davidson, one of the company’s founders, served as the company’s president from 1942 to 1971 and as its chairman from 1971 to 1973. He joined the company as a factory worker in 1928 and became an officer, director and life member of the American Motorcyclist Association, recipient of Italy’s Order of Merit, winner of the 1930 Jack Pine Enduro, president of the Milwaukee County Council of Boy Scouts of America, and an instructor at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Business Administration.

He is survived by two sons— William “Willie G.” Davidson, the company’s vice president of styling, and John, a former president of Harley-Davidson—and five grandchildren, including William J. and Karen Davidson, both of whom work for the company.

CALLING ALL (VINTAGE) SUZUKIS

If you’re one of the growing number of collectors of vintage Japanese motorcycles, this one’s for you.

As a part of an upcoming promotional campaign, American Suzuki is looking for early examples of its product. If you’ve got a vintage Suzuki, American Suzuki wants to know. Doesn’t matter what year, doesn’t matter what model, doesn’t matter if your Suzuki is a streetbike, dirtbike or a racebike. Interested? Contact Joe Colombero, PR Manager, American Suzuki, 3251 E. Imperial Highway, Brea, CA 92621 ; 714/996-7040, ext. 263.

ZX-11 TRANSMISSION UPDATE

Kawasaki has announced what a number of ZX-11 owners already know: Some 1990 and 1991 models have experienced transmission problems. According to Kawasaki, the problem appears to be limited to second gear, and results in missed or difficult shifts. All failures, including out-of-warranty and second-time occurrences, will be repaired at no charge to the customer, says Kawasaki. Updated 1992 ZX-11 gears are currently being used to replace the defective parts. For additional information, contact your authorized Kawasaki dealer or call Kawasaki’s Consumer Services Department at 714/7700400, ext. 2457.

JAPAN-SPEC NR750: LESS FOR LESS

Honda’s fabulous oval-pistoned NR750, a bright red beauty that contains nearly every piece of motorcycling high-technology that Honda can muster, finally has gone on sale in Japan. But home-market buyers will have to put up with at least one important change.

Instead of producing 125 horsepower, as it does in Europe, the Japan-market NR will produce only 78 horsepower, the upper limit set by Japanese law for 750cc motorcycles. Current selling price is right at 5.2 million yen, or about $39,000-well below the $60,000 sums initial units sold for in Europe. The horsepower reduction is achieved via restricted intake and exhaust systems.

YAMAHA FJ OWNERS’ CLUB

What motorcycle has developed the most loyal cadre of fans? One bike that would be right up there would be Yamaha’s trusty and much-loved FJ1100/FJ1200. If you agree, Deni A. Boyer, who is attempting to establish an FJ Owners’ Club, would like to hear from you. Send your ideas and suggestions, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope, to Boyer at PO. Box 535, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. Seems a great way to share suggestions for upgrades, maintenance tips, frustrations and general FJ enthusiasm.